More information on HOPWA in the Recovery Act

Washington, D.C.
March 20th, 2009

Earlier today, David Vos, Director of HIV/AIDS Housing, sent out the following information...

The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) authorized the creation of a new $1.5 billion program, the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re- Housing Program (HPRP). The purpose of this email is to provide you with an overview of the HPRP, and inform you that the Notice announcing further details on the program has been published today, March 19, at: http://www.hudhre.info

This one-time investment will likely allow communities to design and implement housing- related support to benefit their special needs populations. HOPWA grantees and sponsors should view this release of funds as an extraordinary opportunity to add resources to existing homelessness prevention and rapid re-housing efforts to help eligible households and individuals, including persons living with HIV/AIDS, who have pressing housing needs.

As further details in the notice, HPRP funding will be distributed to local and state grantees through the Department's Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) formula. (It is important to note that HPRP is an entirely new program though, with a different program purpose and requirements than ESG.) Almost all the cities and states that receive HOPWA are designated as grantees for HPRP funds.

HUD advises prospective grantees, the HOPWA team of government agencies and nonprofits, interested stakeholders, and Continuum of Care representatives to closely read the Notice for information on HPRP. As soon as possible, consider how you might be involved in this important opportunity, and how HPRP funds can complement existing HOPWA program efforts to prevent and respond to homelessness. Since the HPRP is tied to the national recovery effort, very stringent and compressed timelines will be attached to the use of these funds.

To help communities, the Office of Special Needs Assistance Programs (SNAPS) will post key information about the HPRP on the HUD Homelessness Resource Exchange (www.HUDHRE.info). On Monday, March 23, a new help desk will also be incorporated into the HRE site for the purpose of answering HPRP questions.

HOPWA will also be providing concerted technical assistance efforts to support communities in planning for the use of HPRP funds. Check for HUD emails within the coming weeks for details on these efforts, which are planned to include fact sheets, webcasts, and direct technical provider assistance.

The HPRP represents a substantial investment and tremendous chance for communities to enhance their homeless services, including those for persons with special needs. Please begin considering how best to prepare your community for coordinating the new HPRP funding with existing HOPWA efforts. In addition to the information above, further resources at the end of this email may help you.

The Office of HIV/AIDS Housing looks forward to supporting your efforts and will follow up with additional information within the coming weeks. Also please plan to share your successes too, as other communities will be eager to learn of practical next steps in making good use of these new resources.

Resources:

Submit HPRP questions, view program information, and access technical assistance resources, as they are developed: http://www.hudhre.info

HUD's Recovery Act website, including information on HPRP: http://www.hud.gov/recovery

List of eligible HPRP grantees and award amounts (click "See Allocations by State"): http://www.hud.gov/recovery/homeles s-prevention.cfm

Text of the ARRA legislation, as signed into law: http://frw ebgate.access.gpo.gov/cgi-bin/getdoc.cgi? dbname=111_cong_bills&docid=f:h1enr.pdf (page 107 for HPF information)

The federal government's website on ARRA, including information on programs found within the statute and tools to monitor the use of funds: http://www.recovery.gov

About National AIDS Housing Coalition: The National AIDS Housing Coalition (NAHC) is a 501(c)(3) organization founded in February 1994. NAHC believes that persons living with HIV/AIDS have a fundamental right to decent, safe, affordable housing and supportive services that are responsive and appropriate to their self-determined needs. The purpose of the NAHC is to ensure that the diverse voices of those infected and affected by HIV are heard and their needs are met.

http://www.nationalaidshousing.org

Contact Katie Stuart

email: katie@nationalaidshousing.org

phone: 202-347-0333